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Our planet is facing challenges, yet there is hope. A new award originating at the science, music and arts festival the Starmus festival will motivate individuals to act.

This new Earth medal bearing Jane Goodall's name is to be awarded to pay tribute to the renowned British primatologist who passed away recently. It seeks to acknowledge those who champion our planet's biodiversity.

The Medal's Framework

The first recipients are slated for announcement during the upcoming Starmus event in the Canary Islands, which will run from October 17th to 22nd next year.

Reports indicate that Goodall, who was a Starmus advisory board member, had endorsed the award’s creation. “The concept of having this award, and the festival being tasked to oversee it, originated with Jane,” a representative said. “She said that she wanted this to happen. This is likely because of the unique relationship she had with the festival.”

“The Starmus Jane Goodall Earth medal aims to highlight sustainable programmes carried out to build an environment a better place for all living beings and ecosystems and foster motivation to continue such efforts,” commented a relative.

Format and Inspiration

One of the founders of Starmus indicated that the medal – which was announced at a prestigious venue – will likely have multiple categories.

“It will be very much similar to the Stephen Hawking medal for science communication established exactly 10 years ago,” it was explained. Jane Goodall was an honoree of that very medal.

Expressing concern about the future of the planet, one figure stated, “Honestly, it's challenging to maintain optimism. Present governance in one major nation is conducting a war on science. This situation significantly hampers global initiatives.”

“To be honest, the prospects aren't particularly bright so we have to begin to reflecting, with greater urgency about the consequences of our actions. And that’s not only global warming, that’s the entire manner that we treat our environment.”

A Call to Action

As a result, observers believe this is an opportune moment to emulate Jane Goodall's legacy. “It is believed that when we’re awarding this medal, we will be considering this essential spirit that Jane embodied – which made her foremost concern, to transform how we regard fellow creatures around us.”

Another key issue today involves the spread of false information. The focus of next year’s festival is set as “the pursuit of factual understanding”.

“It has become apparent that factual reality is becoming contested when politics are involved. And it’s an alarming trend,” he commented. “The science of climate is a science; it is impossible to allow interference from politics in this field.”

Hope and Determination

The goal is that the medal can motivate action. “The purpose is encouraging people to engage and to show concern and to strive toward these goals, truly. Regardless of if we’re optimistic, we must look at doing all that is possible,” it was added. “Accept the possibility of failure, but you still have to work to achieve positive outcomes.”

A descendant engaged in environmental protection shared hope that “given direction and once enabled, people can be responsible caretakers of Earth”, pointing to the programs of an institute that, among its other activities, empowers the next generation get involved locally, animals, and environment.

“As my late grandmother constantly reminded us, the choices we make each day make a difference and the responsibility lies with us what type of impact we choose to create,” he said. “We still have an opportunity and this medal will provide inspiration and increase understanding regarding constructive efforts currently in progress.”